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Jays centre fielder Colby Rasmus has put on quite a show since returning to the lineup from the disabled list, having homered in each of his first four games.

It has been a solid season all the way around for Rasmus, who is batting .277 with 22 home runs and 66 RBIs in 109 games. For the first time in his big-league career there has been no second-half slump and if he tightens up his throws, he could be the complete package.

One oddity about Rasmus, though, is that despite his fleetness of foot -- there is no such animal as a slow centre fielder -- and being one of the best base-runners when it comes to going from first to third or second to the plate, Rasmus doesn't have a single stolen base. That's right -- ZERO. He has been thrown out once.

Last year in 151 games, Rasmus had four steals and was thrown out three times. The most stolen bases he has recorded is 12 -- in 2010 with the St. Louis Cardinals.

But zero, what's with that?

"Stealing bases is pretty tough, it's not an easy thing," Rasmus said. "Over the years I haven't been able to get really good at it. I just don't see myself as a good base stealer so I don't steal bases."

In the minor leagues, Rasmus had some success, as over four seasons he stole 74 bases and was thrown out just 17 times. In the big leagues, though, he has put on the brakes.

"In St. Louis I batted in front of Albert (Pujols) and wasn't able to steal much and when I did it was kind of like: 'Go now.' It was a tough thing."

Rasmus said it's not about him not being able to get good reads on pitchers. It's just not part of his game.

"I haven't really gotten good at it and got confident enough to be stealing bases," he said. "Stealing bases is a lot more on my legs and I try to keep myself ready to run balls down in the outfield. The way I run, I'm not as quick off the start. I'm more of a long stride and once I get going I'm running good. I just don't think it's part of my game that's going to help us much."

HOME RUN HEAVEN

Speaking of Rasmus and his four-game home run streak, it marks the first time in his career that he has done so.

He is the second Jays player to have such a streak this season, Edwin Encarnacion being the other.

It marks the 16th time that it has happened in club history -- a feat done by 12 different players. Jose Cruz Jr. holds the club record streak, having homered in six consecutive games.

Rasmus is also one off 11 players in the majors this season to have hit a homer in four consecutive games.

Rasmus also stacks up well when compared with the production of other centre fielders in the American League. Entering play Thursday, he ranked second in home runs (22), OPS (.845), slugging (.507), is third in RBIs (66) and fourth in extra-base hits (49).

Finally, Rasmus is just the fourth centre fielder in club history to post back-to-back 20 home run seasons, the others being Vernon Wells (2002-2006), Cruz (2000-2001) and Lloyd Moseby (1986-87).

SUCCESSFUL SURGERY

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons reported that Encarnacion underwent wrist surgery on Thursday in Cleveland and that it "went well." A few days ago, Encarnacion said it would take two months for the wrist to recuperate but Gibbons said that was a very conservative figure adding "time is on his side."

In other words, they have no concerns that he won't be ready by spring training.

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Colby Rasmus has no feel for steals

Jays centre fielder Colby Rasmus has put on quite a show since returning to the lineup from the disabled list, having homered in each of his first four games.

It has been a solid season all the way around for Rasmus, who is batting .277 with 22 home runs and 66 RBIs in 109 games. For the first time in his big-league career there has been no second-half slump and if he tightens up his throws, he could be the complete package.